Warning for Pacquiao

There seems to be a cloud of doubt surrounding International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao’s ability to survive on the throne of the 122-pound division.

Eric Raskin, writing in The Ring Magazine (July 2002), singled out Pacquiao as among six "stars" who could be the next casualties of the upset epidemic that’s rocking the boxing firmament.

"It’s just a matter of taking on the wrong opponent, letting your press clippings go to your head or simply not being as great as everyone thinks you are," noted Raskin.

The six "stars" in Raskin’s list were Pacquiao, Kostya Tszyu, Roy Jones, Ricardo Lopez, Dariusz Michalczewski, and Naseem Hamed.

Raskin described Pacquiao’s annihilation of Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF crown last year as "one of those eye-opening performances by a relatively anonymous fighter that sets the hardcore boxing fans abuzz and sets us all up for disappointment when we find out the fighter isn’t really as awesome as he looked that one night."

Raskin said Ledwaba was the perfect foil for Pacquiao because of his "slow-starting style and inability to cope with pressure." What Raskin failed to mention was not too many fighters had been able to expose Ledwaba’s weaknesses before Pacquiao’s masterful demolition. In fact, Ledwaba had lost only once previously.

As if deliberately looking to denigrate Pacquiao, Raskin pointed out that the Filipino southpaw was "out of shape" and "unprepared" when Medgeon 3-K Battery wrested his World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight crown in the third round in 1999. Did he know the circumstances that led to Pacquiao’s failure to make the weight?

Then, Raskin accused Pacquiao of benefiting from a long count and defeating Nedal Hussein on a "controversial" stoppage two years ago. Was Raskin at ringside when Pacquiao faced Hussein? Did he watch the tape? Did he know that Hussein was badly behind on points in the three judges’ scorecards when referee Carlos Padilla stepped in to halt the carnage? Did he realize that Hussein was in no condition to continue because of a gaping cut over his eye?

Raskin also claimed that Agapito Sanchez gave Pacquiao "fits" before their fight was called a technical draw. As a consolation, Raskin mentioned that Sanchez used "roughhousing tactics" and described the Dominican Republic ruffian "cagey but unspectacular."

Raskin castigated Pacquiao for his "inconsistency" and said "for every sensational performance . . . there’s a lousy performance to match." He said "that kind of inconsistency usually leads to upsets."

In the same issue, writer William Detloff rated Pacquiao as the superbantamweight division’s best puncher and most fun to watch. Detloff said a matchmaker’s dream is a fight between Pacquiao and Paulie Ayala.

"Pacquiao, though somewhat disappointing against dirty rotten spoiler Agapito Sanchez, is a true hitter," wrote Detloff. "What he did to poor Ledwaba — still a heck of a solid contender — was no accident and anyone he catches square a couple of times is going."

Pacquiao shouldn’t take Raskin’s warning lightly. Although Raskin was a bit harsh and unfair, Pacquiao must admit that consistency leads to longevity as a world champion. Pacquiao’s the only Filipino reigning world champion. It’s a big responsibility to put the entire country on his back. That’s why Pacquiao can’t afford to lower his guard ever.

Today, Pacquiao leaves for Los Angeles with Gerry Peñalosa and trainer Buboy Fernandez to hook up with Freddie Roach. He’ll train in Roach’s Wild Card gym for a month, attend the IBF convention in New Orleans, and return home to figure in a non-title fight, possibly on June 29, at the Casino Filipino or the Ynares Center. Pacquiao will make a mandatory defense against the May 23 winner of the Jose Luis Valbuena-Fahprakob Rakkiat-Gym eliminator in August or September, probably in Las Vegas.

Postscript. Sportscaster Ed Picson announced that the 1st Letran Alumni Golf Fellowship Tournament tees off at 6:30 a.m. today at the Villamor Golf Club. The competition aims to raise funds for a junior golf program. Over 100 golfers are expected to join. Valuable raffle prizes, including two round-trip tickets to Bangkok via Philippine Airlines, await lucky ticket holders. Sponsors include Red Bull, San Miguel Beer, Cantada Sports Center, Boysen Paints, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Recio-Casas Architects, Video Gear, Powercheck, Shell, Rep. Ted Failon, Baguio Manor, Monsanto, Joey 92.3 and Paco Mendoza. For details, contact Baby Tabuena at 0918-3200099 or the Letran Alumni Association at 527-1775 . . . San Juan Councilor Dante Santiago reported that the 25th San Juan Mayor’s Cup for basketball and volleyball was launched last April 13 with Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito as host. The 21-and-under basketball tournament is open to players from the city’s 21 barangays. Sta. Lucia is the defending basketball champion while Pasadena is the defending volleyball titlist.